COLOUR AND SPICE

LOVINGLY CRAFTED PIECES AND SHADES OF SUNSHINE FLOURISH IN THIS ONE-OF-A-KIND FAMILY HOME IN MELBOURNE

Everything has meaning in the soulful home of artist and illustrator Madeleine. Imbued with a playful, free-spirited feel that always offers the friendliest of welcomes, the compact yet multilayered home brims with creative delights – and surprises. Nowhere is this more evident than in the sun-splashed rear garden, where a majestic 40-metre-high liquidambar tree keeps a watchful guard on the home and its family. “This place has been described by visitors as a bit of an Aladdin’s cave,” says Madeleine, who lives here with her husband, Ka r l , t he i r daughters, Wilhelmina, 10, and eight-year-old Ada, plus the family’s rescue cat, Hug. “From the front it seems so tiny, but then it continues to open up until you finally spot the huge tree out the back. We feel so lucky to have this tree. It brings everything to our garden, from privacy and shade to incredible bird life.”

When Madeleine and Karl first spied their semi- detached terrace in Melbourne’s inner south-east many years ago, they adored almost everything about the century-old abode, from its soaring ceilings and family-friendly layout to its close proximity to their favourite cafes and shops, as well as the girls’ school. What the pair didn’t love so much was that the house had been almost entirely stripped of its period details and charm.“The previous resident had put internet cables over every doorway, and it had very questionable and worn carpet everywhere,” recalls Madeleine. With a shoestring budget keeping them in check, the hands-on couple began the painstaking task of restoring the home to its longforgotten glory. “We ripped up all the carpet, pulling out literally hundreds of nails, and were thrilled to find kauri pine boards underneath,” says Madeleine, who runs an art studio, Little Circus Design. “With the help of a builder, we opened up a couple of doorways, put in bi-fold doors at the back, added roof windows for light and reinstated period features with cornices and ceiling roses. Karl and I also painted the entire home.”

Once the retweaks were complete, the duo couldn’t wait to make the home their own. “We ended up moving in on Christmas Eve, of all days!” Madeleine recalls with a laugh. “For some crazy reason, that was the deadline we had given ourselves – and Ada’s birthday was just two days later! I’m not quite sure what we were thinking at the time.” An eclectic mix of reclaimed vintage pieces, family treasures and a remarkable collection of artworks bring new life, colour and character to the charming abode, as does a cherished celebration of Mexican folk-art, bold rugs and other crafted discoveries that have long been close to Madeleine and Karl’s heart. In the enchanting garden, a shed has recently been converted into an art studio for Madeleine, who finds inspiration comes easily in her green surrounds. “I cherish working away in my little studio,” she says. “It’s such a peaceful and productive place.” As well as a perfect addition to this very creative household.

“IT MEANS A LOT THAT WE HAVE COLLECTED THESE EVERYDAY OBJECTS, ALL OF WHICH tell a tale. IT’S A SYMBOLIC PATCHWORK OF OUR ADVENTURES AND EVERYTHING WE LOVE”~ MADELEINE

“YOU DO HAVE TO TRY TO restrain yourself AND BE SELECTIVE ABOUT WHAT GETS SHELF OR WALL SPACE”

~ MADELEINE

“IT'S important TO GIVE THINGS A GO AND SEE HOW THEY FIT WITH WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE. THERE ARE no rules ” ~ MADELEINE

GARDEN Bringing dazzling shots of colour to the merbau timber-lined deck, coated in a Haymes Paint ‘Licorice’ timber finish, are two original Acapulco chairs from Amor Y Locura. “The pink is so vibrant, as is the blue,” says Madeleine. “They make me...

ATTIC On a compact block, every bit of space counts, so it made sense for the pair to engage The Attic Group to transform the unused roof area into a plywood-lined secret playroom (top right), complete with easy-fold internal stairs (above left)....

ADA’S ROOM Decorated with many of her own drawings and paintings, eight-year-old Ada’s room (below) is also adorned with antiques. The wrought-iron antique Victorian bedhead was a charming Ebay find (for similar, try a custom-made iron bed by Scout...

LIVING ROOM Colour and whimsy are the standouts in the family room. Walls in Haymes Paint’s ‘Cherish’ create a soft backdrop for more of the family’s pieces, including a framed ‘Life Is Fantastic’ tea towel by British artist David Shrigley, found at...

GALLERY WALL Over the years, Madeleine and Karl have amassed a much-cherished collection of art, ranging from many creations by Madeleine and her daughters to pieces including ‘St Kilda Angel’ by celebrated Australian artist Mirka Mora (top left) and...

ECLECTIC MIX Vibrant hues and natural materials are celebrated in the light-soaked dining room of Madeleine and Karl’s home ( below), where a geometric kilim from Rah Rah Rugs anchors the space. While an oversized wicker pendant from Ikea has been...